Electronic control system for a variable support mechanism

ABSTRACT

A variable support mechanism includes a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling the inflation and deflation thereof. Each of the bladders communicates through a valve with a common manifold. The operations of the valves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressure sensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signals that are representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in the manifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected to a vent valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and the atmosphere. The microprocessor is further connected to a pressure valve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifold and a pump. Initially, the magnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system. Then, the measured pressure readings from the bladders are compared with respective target values and, in response to that comparison, are designated as being either (1) Too Low, (2) Too High, or (3) Within Limits. The bladders that have been identified as being Too Low are inflated until they have achieved their respective target values, and the bladders that have been identified as being Too High are deflated until they have achieved their respective target values. The electronic control system identifies the user of the vehicular seat assembly and, in response thereto, customizes the operation of one or more controlled devices in the vehicle. Lastly, the electronic control system is placed an inactive mode, wherein no action occurs for a predetermined length of time. When the predetermined length of time expires, the algorithm branches back to the first routine discussed above, wherein this cycle is repeated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States ProvisionalApplication Nos. 60/092,849, filed Jul. 15, 1998; 60/092,851, filed Jul.15, 1998; 60/092,852, filed Jul. 15, 1998; 60/092,854, filed Jul. 15,1998; 60/092,856, filed Jul. 15, 1998; and 60/092,858, filed Jul. 15,1998. The disclosures of those provisional applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to support mechanisms, such as seatsor beds, upon which some or all of a human body can be comfortablysupported. More specifically, this invention relates to an improvedstructure for a variable support mechanism including a plurality ofpneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling theinflation and deflation of such bladders so as to comfortably supportthe body of a person on a support surface.

Generally speaking, a support mechanism is a device that includes asupport surface adapted to engage and provide support for some or all ofa human body. In a fixed support mechanism, the support surface isgenerally fixed in size and shape, deforming only as a result of forcesbeing applied thereto. A wide variety of fixed support mechanisms areknown in the art, including conventional seats and beds. However, anumber of other fixed support mechanisms having support surfaces areknown in the art, such as bandages, braces, and the like. It is knownthat when a portion of a human body contacts a support surface for anextended period of time, several undesirable effects can occur. Theseundesirable effects can range from minor muscle aches and fatigue tomore severe discomforts. In the past, the solution to this probleminvolved human intervention to vary the position of the body of theperson relative to the support surface.

More recently, a variety of support mechanisms have been developedhaving support surfaces that can be varied in shape or size provide anincreased level of comfort to the person supported thereon. Suchvariable support mechanisms are commonly found, for example, invehicular seat assemblies. In such vehicular seat assemblies, it isknown to provide a plurality of pneumatic bladders at predeterminedlocations so as to individually support the thigh, ischial, and lumbarregions of the user. The variable support mechanism in such a vehicularseat assembly further includes a pump and one or more valves forselectively increasing or decreasing the amount of air contained withineach or all of the bladders. By selectively inflating and deflatingthese bladders, the shape and size of the support surface can be quicklyand easily customized in accordance with the body shape of the user.Such a device has been found to significantly increase the overallcomfort to the user.

In the past, inflation and deflation of the bladders were performedmanually by the user. Typically, this was accomplished by providing oneor more electrical switches that controlled the operations of the pumpand the valves. By properly manipulating the switches, the user couldcause the bladders to be inflated and deflated as desired. Althoughthese systems were effective, they were reliant upon manual manipulationand control by the user to effect adjustments. More recently, electroniccontrol systems have been incorporated into these variable supportmechanisms to permit the inflation and deflation of the bladders tooccur automatically in response to predetermined sensed conditions.However, the cost and complexity of known variable support mechanismsand their associated electronic control systems have been found to berelatively high. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improvedstructure for a variable support mechanism including a plurality ofpneumatic bladders and an electronic control system for controlling theinflation and deflation of such bladders so as to comfortably supportthe body of a person on a support surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved structure for a variable supportmechanism including a plurality of pneumatic bladders and an electroniccontrol system for controlling the inflation and deflation of suchbladders so as to comfortably support the body of a person on a supportsurface. Each of the bladders communicates through a solenoid operatedvalve with a common manifold. The operations of the solenoid operatedvalves are individually controlled by a microprocessor. A pressuresensor communicates with the manifold and generates electrical signalsthat is representative of the magnitude of the fluid pressure in themanifold to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is also connected toa solenoid operated vent valve that provides selective fluidcommunication between the manifold and the atmosphere. Themicroprocessor is further connected to a solenoid operated pressurevalve that provides selective fluid communication between the manifoldand a pump. An algorithm for controlling the operation of the electroniccontrol system begins with an initial routine wherein the magnitude ofthe pressure in each of the bladders is sampled, measured, and stored bythe electronic control system. Then, the algorithm enters a secondroutine wherein the measured pressure readings from the bladders arecompared with respective target values and, in response to thatcomparison, are designated as being either (1) Too Low, (2) Too High, or(3) Within Limits. In a third routine of the algorithm, the bladdersthat have been identified as being Too Low are inflated until they haveachieved their respective target values. Similarly, in a fourth routineof the algorithm, the bladders that have been identified as being TooHigh are deflated until they have achieved their respective targetvalues. In a fifth routine of the algorithm, the electronic controlsystem identifies the user of the vehicular seat assembly and, inresponse thereto, customizes the operation of one or more controlleddevices in the vehicle. In a final routine of the algorithm, theelectronic control system is placed an inactive mode, wherein no actionoccurs for a predetermined length of time. When the predetermined lengthof time expires, the algorithm branches back to the first routinediscussed above, wherein this cycle is repeated.

Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular seat assembly including avariable support mechanism and electronic control system in accordancewith this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic control system forcontrolling the inflation and deflation of the variable supportmechanism illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a simplified flow chart of an algorithm for controlling theoperation of the electronic control system illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in a first routineof the algorithm illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in a secondroutine of the algorithm illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in a third routineof the algorithm illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in a fourthroutine of the algorithm illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in a fifth routineof the algorithm illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 aperspective view of a vehicular seat assembly, indicated generally at10, including a variable support mechanism and electronic control systemin accordance with this invention. Although this invention will bedescribed in the context of the illustrated vehicular seat assembly 10,it will be appreciated that this invention may be used in conjunctionwith any known variable support mechanism. The seat assembly 10 includesa seat portion 11 and a back portion 12. A plurality of pneumaticbladders 20 through 30 are provided within the seat portion 11 and theback portion 12 of the seat assembly 10. In the illustrated embodiment,the bladder 20 is provide to support the upper back region of a user,the bladders 21, 22, and 23 are provided to support the central lumbarregion of the user, the bladders 24 and 25 are provided to support thelateral lumbar regions of the user, the bladder 26 is provided tosupport the ischial region of the user, the bladders 27 and 28 areprovided to support the central thigh regions of the user, and thebladders 29 and 30 are provided to support the lateral thigh regions ofthe user. This invention contemplates that a greater or lesser number ofsuch bladders 20 through 30 may be provided in the support mechanism,and that the locations of such bladders 20 through 30 within the seatassembly 10 may be varied as desired. Although this invention will bedescribed and illustrated in the context of pneumatic bladders 20through 30, it will be appreciated that this invention may be practicedusing other well known fluid operated actuators or similar structures.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic control system,indicated generally at 40, for automatically controlling the inflationand deflation of the bladders 20 through 30 so as to comfortably supportthe body of a person on the variable support mechanism provided in theseat assembly 10. For the sake of simplicity, not all of the bladder 20through 30 are illustrated in FIG. 2. Nonetheless, it will beappreciated that the non-illustrated bladders can be structured andoperated in the same manner as the illustrated bladders. Each of thebladders 20 through 30 communicates through a solenoid operated valve 20a through 30 a, respectively, with a common manifold 41. Each of thesolenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a shown in FIG. 2 isillustrated in a closed position, wherein fluid communication isprevented between each of the bladders 20 through 30 and the manifold41. However, each of the solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a canbe moved to an opened position, wherein fluid communication is permittedbetween each of the bladders 20 through 30 and the manifold 41. Ifdesired, the solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a can be connectedmounted together in side-by-side fashion to function in the aggregate asthe manifold 41.

The operations of the solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a areindividually controlled by an electronic controller, such as amicroprocessor 42. The microprocessor 42 is, of itself, conventional inthe art and may be embodied as any general purpose control device thatis responsive to one or more input signals for generating one or moreoutput signals to control the operation of the electronic control system40 in a desired manner. The manner of operation of the microprocessor 42will be explained in detail below. A pressure sensor 43 communicateswith the manifold 41 and is connected with the microprocessor 42. Thepressure sensor 43 is conventional in the art and is adapted to generatean electrical signal that is representative of the magnitude of thefluid pressure in the manifold 41 to the microprocessor 42.

The microprocessor 42 is also connected to a solenoid operated ventvalve 44. The vent valve 44 provides selective fluid communicationbetween the manifold 41 and the atmosphere. The vent valve 44 shown inFIG. 2 is illustrated in a closed position, wherein fluid communicationis prevented between the manifold 41 and the atmosphere. However, thevent valve 44 can be moved to an opened position, wherein fluidcommunication is permitted between the manifold 41 and the atmosphere.

The microprocessor 42 is further connected to a solenoid operatedpressure valve 45. The pressure valve 45 provides selective fluidcommunication between the manifold 41 and a pump 46. The pressure valve45 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated in a closed position, wherein fluidcommunication is prevented between the manifold 41 and the pump 46.However, the pressure valve 45 can be moved to an opened position,wherein fluid communication is permitted between the manifold 41 and thepump 46. The operation of the pump 46 is also controlled by themicroprocessor 42.

One or more input devices 47 may be connected to the microprocessor 42.The input device 47 is conventional in the art and may be embodied asany well known manually operable device, such as one or more switches, akeyboard, and the like. Generally speaking, the input device 47 isprovided to allow a user to generate electrical signals to themicroprocessor 42 to control the operation of the electronic controlsystem 40 in a desired manner. Also, one or more conventional outputdevices (not shown) may be connected to the microprocessor 42 ifdesired. The output device may be provided to facilitate the use of theelectronic control system 40 by the user.

Lastly, one or more controlled devices 48 may be connected to themicroprocessor 42. The controlled device 48 may include any device thatis capable of being adjusted in size, position, or mode of operation toa particular user of the vehicular seat assembly 10. For example, thecontrolled device 48 may be an air bag assembly that is adapted to bedeployed in the event of a collision. As will be explained in greaterdetail below, the microprocessor 42 determines the identity of the userof the vehicular seat assembly 10 based upon measured pressure readingsof the bladders 20 through 30. In response thereto, the microprocessor42 generates signals to the controlled device 48 to customize theoperation thereof in accordance with the identified user. For example,the rate of deployment of the air bag assembly may be varied inaccordance with the size and weight of the user of the vehicular seatassembly 10. Other examples of controlled devices 48 include a seattrack positioning mechanism (that adjusts the vehicular seat assembly 10forwardly and rearwardly), a tilt mechanism for adjusting the positionof the back portion 12 of the vehicular seat assembly 10 relative to theseat portion 11, radio station selections, climate controls and mirrorpositioning mechanisms. Communications between the microprocessor 42 andany or all of these controlled devices 48 can be accomplished in anyconventional manner, such as by standard electronic bus lines providedin most modern vehicles.

FIG. 3 is a simplified flow chart of an algorithm, indicated generallyat 100, for controlling the operation of the electronic control system40 illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown therein, the algorithm 100 beginswith an initial routine 110 wherein the magnitude of the pressure ineach of the bladders 20 through 30 is sampled, measured, and stored bythe electronic control system 40. Then, the algorithm 100 enters asecond routine 120 wherein the measured pressure readings from thebladders 20 through 30 are compared with respective target values and,in response to that comparison, are designated as being either (1) TooLow, (2) Too High, or (3) Within Limits. In a third routine 130 of thealgorithm 100, the bladders 20 through 30 that have been identified asbeing Too Low are inflated until they have achieved their respectivetarget values. Similarly, in a fourth routine 140 of the algorithm 100,the bladders 20 through 30 that have been identified as being Too Highare deflated until they have achieved their respective target values.The third and fourth routines 130 and 140 may be performed in reverseorder or otherwise combined together if desired. In a fifth routine 150of the algorithm 100, the electronic control system 40 identifies theuser of the vehicular seat assembly 10 and, in response thereto,customizes the operation of one or more controlled devices in thevehicle. In a final routine 160 of the algorithm 100, the electroniccontrol system 40 is placed an inactive mode, wherein no action occursfor a predetermined length of time. This predetermined length of timemay be set as desired, such as for approximately two minutes. When thepredetermined length of time expires, the algorithm 100 branches back tothe first routine 110 discussed above, wherein this cycle is repeated.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in the firstroutine 110 of the algorithm 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein themagnitude of the pressure in each of the bladders 20 through 30 issampled, measured, and stored by the electronic control system 20. In afirst step 111 of the first routine 110, the microprocessor 42 causesthe vent valve 44, the pressure valve 45, and each of the individualsolenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a to be closed or to remainclosed. Next, the first routine 110 enters a step 112, wherein a firstone of the solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a is opened suchthat the associated bladder 20 through 30 is placed in fluidcommunication with the manifold 41. When this occurs, the pressure ofthe fluid contained within the manifold 41 becomes equal with thepressure of the fluid contained within the associated bladder 20. Thefirst routine 110 then enters a step 113, wherein the pressure in themanifold 41 and the associated bladder 20 (as measured by the pressuresensor 43) is sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42.Thereafter, the first routine 110 enters a step 114 wherein it isdetermined whether the pressure levels of all of the bladders 20 through30 have been sampled and stored. If not, the first routine 110 enters astep 115 wherein the microprocessor 42 causes the opened first one ofthe individual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a to be closed,and further causes the next one of the individual solenoid operatedvalves 20 a through 30 a to be opened. The first routine 110 thenbranches back to the step 113 wherein the pressure in the manifold 41and the associated bladder 20 (as measured by the pressure sensor 43) issampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42. This process is repeateduntil the pressure levels of all of the bladders 20 a through 30 a havebeen sampled and stored. When this occurs, the first routine 110 returnsfrom the step 114 to the algorithm 110 and enters the second routine120.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in the secondroutine 120 of the algorithm 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein themeasured pressure readings from the bladders 20 through 30 are comparedwith respective target values and, in response to that comparison, aredesignated as being either (1) Too Low, (2) Too High, or (3) WithinLimits. In a first step 121 of the second routine 120, themicroprocessor 42 selects the first pressure level (for example, thepressure level corresponding to the magnitude of the pressure in thefirst bladder 20) stored in memory. At the same time, the microprocessor42 selects the target value associated with that particular bladder 20.The target value can be a single discrete value or, more preferably, arange of values defined by upper and lower limits about a predeterminedcenter value. The magnitude of the target values associated with each ofthe bladders 20 through 30 can be stored in the microprocessor 42 at thetime of manufacture. Whether or not this is done, it is desirable thatthe magnitude of the target values be capable of adjustment by the useras desired, such as by using the input device 47.

Next, the second routine 120 enters a step 122 wherein the value of thestored pressure level is compared with the target value associated withthat particular bladder 20. Specifically, it is determined if the valueof the stored pressure level is less than the target value associatedtherewith. If the value of the stored pressure level is less than theassociated target value, then the second routine 120 branches to a step123 wherein the bladder 20 is designated as being Too Low. Then, thesecond routine 120 enters a step 124. If, alternatively, it isdetermined at the step 122 that the value of the stored pressure levelis not less than the associated target value, then the second routine120 branches directly to the step 124. In either event, it is determinedat the step 124 whether the pressure levels of all of the bladders 20through 30 have been sampled and stored. If not all of the pressurelevels of all of the bladders 20 through 30 have been sampled andstored, then the second routine 120 branches from the step 124 to a step125 wherein the microprocessor 42 selects the next pressure level storedin memory and the target value associated therewith. Then, the secondroutine 120 moves from the step 125 back to the step 122 wherein thevalue of the next stored pressure level is compared with the targetvalue associated therewith. This process is repeated until the values ofall of the stored pressure levels have been compared with the targetvalues associated therewith. At this point of the second routine 120,none, some, or all of the bladders 20 through 30 may be designated asbeing Too Low, depending upon the results of the comparisons.

When the values of all of the stored pressure levels have been comparedwith the target values associated therewith, the second routine 120branches from the step 124 to a step 126 wherein the microprocessor 42again selects the first pressure level stored in memory. At the sametime, the microprocessor 42 selects the target value is associated withthat particular bladder 20. Next, the second routine 120 enters a step127 wherein the value of the stored pressure level is compared with thetarget value associated with that particular bladder 20. Specifically,it is determined if the value of the stored pressure level is greaterthan the target value associated therewith. If the value of the storedpressure level is greater than the associated target value, then thesecond routine 120 branches to a step 128 wherein the bladder 20 isdesignated as being Too High. Then, the second routine 120 enters a step129. If, alternatively, it is determined at the step 127 that the valueof the stored pressure level is not greater than the associated targetvalue, then the second routine 120 branches directly to the step 129. Ineither event, it is determined at the step 129 whether the pressurelevels of all of the bladders 20 through 30 have been sampled andstored. If not all of the pressure levels of all of the bladders 20through 30 have been sampled and stored, then the second routine 120branches from the step 129 to a step 129 a wherein the microprocessor 42selects the next pressure level stored in memory and the target valueassociated therewith. Then, the second routine 120 moves from the step129 a back to the step 127 wherein the value of the next stored pressurelevel is compared with the target value associated therewith. Thisprocess is repeated until the values of all of the stored pressurelevels have been compared with the target values associated therewith.At this point of the second routine 120, none, some, or all of thebladders 20 through 30 may be designated as being either Too Low of TooHigh, depending upon the results of the comparisons.

When the values of all of the stored pressure levels have been comparedwith the target values associated therewith, the second routine 120branches from the step 129 to a step 129 b wherein any of the bladders20 through 30 that have not already been designated as being either TooLow or Too High are now designated as being Within Limits. Thus, at theconclusion of the second routine 120, each of the bladders 20 through 30that is currently at a pressure level that is less than the target valueassociated therewith is designated as being Too Low, each of thebladders 20 through 30 that is currently at a pressure level that isgreater than the target value associated therewith is designated asbeing Too High, and the remaining bladders are designated as beingWithin Limits. When this occurs, the second routine 120 returns from thestep 129 b to the algorithm 110 and enters the third routine 130.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in the thirdroutine 130 of the algorithm 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein thebladders 20 through 30 that have been identified as being Too Low areinflated until they have achieved their respective target values. In afirst step 131 of the third routine 130, the microprocessor 42 initiallycauses each of the individual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 aassociated with the bladders 20 through 30 that were designated in themanner described above to be Too Low to be opened. As a result, each ofthe bladders 20 through 30 that are associated with the opened valves 20a through 30 a is placed in fluid communication with the manifold 41.Next, the third routine 130 enters a step 132 wherein the pressure valve45 is moved from the closed position to the opened position, and whereinthe pump 46 is energized for operation. As a result, pressurized fluidis introduced within the manifold 41 and, therefore, each of thebladders 20 through 30 that are associated with the opened valves 20 athrough 30 a. Consequently, the pressure levels are increased in themanifold 41 and in each of the bladders 20 through 30 that areassociated with the opened valves 20 a through 30 a.

As this increase in pressure level occurs, the third routine 130 entersa step 133 wherein the pressure in the manifold 41 (as measured by thepressure sensor 43) is sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42.Thereafter, the third routine 130 enters a step 134 wherein it isdetermined whether any of the target values for bladders 20 through 30designated as being Too Low has been achieved, as determined by thepressure in the manifold 41. If none of the target values for bladders20 through 30 designated as being Too Low have been achieved, then thethird routine 130 branches back to the step 133 wherein the pressure inthe manifold 41 is again sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42.However, if any of the target values for bladders 20 through 30designated as being Too Low have been achieved, then the third routine130 branches to a step 135 wherein the microprocessor 42 causesindividual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a associated withsuch bladders 20 through 30 to be closed. As a result, no furtherincrease in the pressure levels therein can occur.

The third routine 130 then enters a step 136 wherein it is determinedwhether all of the individual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 athat were opened have been closed. If not, the third routine 130branches back to the step 133 wherein the pressure in the manifold 41 isagain sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42. Thus, the samplingof the pressure levels in the bladders 20 through 30 is repeated untilall of the individual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a thatwere opened have been closed. When this occurs, the third routine 130enters a step 137 wherein the pressure valve 45 is moved from the openedposition to the closed position, and wherein the pump 46 is de-energizedto prevent further operation. Lastly, the third routine 130 returns fromthe step 137 to the algorithm 110 and enters the fourth routine 140.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in the fourthroutine 140 of the algorithm 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein thebladders 20 through 30 that have been identified as being Too High aredeflated until they have achieved their respective target values. In afirst step 141 of the fourth routine 140, the microprocessor 42initially causes each of the individual solenoid operated valves 20 athrough 30 a associated with the bladders 20 through 30 that weredesignated in the manner described above to be Too High to be opened. Asa result, each of the bladders 20 through 30 that are associated withthe opened valves 20 a through 30 a is placed in fluid communicationwith the manifold 41. Next, the fourth routine 140 enters a step 142wherein the vent valve 44 is moved from the closed position to theopened position. As a result, pressurized fluid is vented from themanifold 41 and, therefore, each of the bladders 20 through 30 that areassociated with the opened valves 20 a through 30 a. Consequently, thepressure levels are decreased in the manifold 41 and in each of thebladders 20 through 30 that are associated with the opened valves 20 athrough 30 a.

As this decrease in pressure level occurs, the fourth routine 140 entersa step 143 wherein the pressure in the manifold 41 (as measured by thepressure sensor 43) is sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42.Thereafter, the fourth routine 140 enters a step 144 wherein it isdetermined whether any of the target values for bladders 20 through 30designated as being Too High has been achieved, as determined by thepressure in the manifold 41. If none of the target values for bladders20 through 30 designated as being Too High have been achieved, then thefourth routine 140 branches back to the step 143 wherein the pressure inthe manifold 41 is again sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42.However, if any of the target values for bladders 20 through 30designated as being Too High have been achieved, then the fourth routine140 branches to a step 145 wherein the microprocessor 42 causesindividual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a associated withsuch bladders 20 through 30 to be closed. As a result, no furtherdecrease in the pressure levels therein can occur.

The fourth routine 140 then enters a step 146 wherein it is determinedwhether all of the individual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 athat were opened have been closed. If not, the fourth routine 140branches back to the step 143 wherein the pressure in the manifold 41 isagain sampled by and stored in the microprocessor 42. Thus, the samplingof the pressure levels in the bladders 20 through 30 is repeated untilall of the individual solenoid operated valves 20 a through 30 a thatwere opened have been closed. When this occurs, the fourth routine 140enters a step 147 wherein the vent valve 44 is moved from the openedposition to the closed position. Lastly, the fourth routine 140 returnsfrom the step 147 to the algorithm 110 and enters the fifth routine 150.

FIG. 8 is a detailed flow chart of the steps involved in the fifthroutine 150 of the algorithm 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein theelectronic control system 40 identifies the user of the vehicular seatassembly 10 and, in response thereto, customizes the operation of one ormore controlled devices in the vehicle. In a first step 151 of the fifthroutine 150, the previously measured pressure readings from some or allof the bladders 20 through 30 are compared with a table of values storedin memory. The table of values can consist of a list of a plurality ofpersons, each of which has one or more pressure readings associatedtherewith. By comparing the previously measured pressure readings withthe pressure readings stored in the table, a correlation can be made asto the identity of the user of the vehicular seat assembly 10, as shownin step 152. This comparison and correlation can be made using anyconventional algorithm.

The table of values stored in memory also includes settings for one ormore of the controlled devices 48 that are customized to the particularuser of the vehicular seat assembly 10. Thus, having identified the userin step 152, the fifth routine 150 next enters a step 153 whereinelectrical signals are generated from the microprocessor 42 to each ofthe controlled devices 48. In response to such signals, the controlleddevices 48 are customized to the particular user of the vehicular seatassembly 10. Then, the fifth routine 150 returns to the algorithm 100and enters the sixth routine 160. As discussed above, the sixth routine160 causes the electronic control system 40 to enter an inactive modewherein no action occurs for a predetermined length of time. Thispredetermined length of time may be set as desired, such as forapproximately two minutes. When the predetermined length of timeexpires, the algorithm 100 branches back to the first routine 110discussed above, wherein the entire cycle is repeated.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principleand mode of operation of this invention have been explained andillustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understoodthat this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallyexplained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a variable supportmechanism in a vehicle having a controlled device, the variable supportmechanism including a support mechanism including a plurality ofbladders having respective valves connected to a manifold and anelectronic control system for selectively inflating and deflating thebladders, said method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring a magnitudeof a pressure in each of the bladders; (b) associating first and secondusers with respective measured pressures from each of the bladders; (c)comparing the measured pressures from each of the bladders withrespective target values; (d) adjusting the pressures in each of thebladders such that the measured values achieve the target values; (e)identifying the first or second user of the variable support mechanismbased upon the measured pressures in each of the bladders; and (f)controlling the operation of the controlled device in response to theidentity of the user of the variable support mechanism.
 2. The methoddefined in claim 1 wherein said step (d) is performed by comparing themeasured pressures from the bladders with a table of predeterminedvalues that are correlated with the identity of the user.
 3. The methoddefined in claim 1 wherein said step (e) is performed by controlling theoperation of an air bag assembly.
 4. The method defined in claim 1wherein said step (e) is performed by controlling the operation of aseat track positioning mechanism.
 5. The method defined in claim 1wherein said step (e) is performed by controlling the operation of atilt mechanism for adjusting the position of a back portion of thevehicular seat assembly relative to the seat portion.
 6. The methoddefined in claim 1 wherein said step (e) is performed by controlling theoperation of a radio.
 7. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said step(e) is performed by controlling the operation of a climate control. 8.The method defined in claim 1 wherein said step (e) is performed bycontrolling the operation of a mirror positioning mechanism.